Hi. Remember me?
Yes, I know it’s been a long time. Basically since I started my “new” job, life has been rather hellish. It’s been really hard to have the bandwidth to do anything but the minimum let alone keep up with the blog and the blogs of all the lovelies I’ve met through this thing. But now, finally, I’ve got some time and space in my head freed up and It’s time to grab a cup of Joe or tea and catch up with each other. On the first Friday of the month, we join in on the Ultimate Coffee Date; grab a seat and share about how things are going for you! Let’s do this!
WELOME to Fit Five Friday with with your FIVE amazing hosts – me, My First 5K and More, Running With Attitude, Runs with Pugs, and The Running Teacher ! And head over here to join the Ultimate Coffee Date with other amazing, supportive and friendly bloggers.
Ultimate Coffee Date – June 2024 Edition
I’m going to try to catch you all up without boring you to tears…
If we were having coffee
First and foremost, I’d tell you that I finally quit my job after securing another one. Officially my last day is the 28th June, however, after I gave my notice 10 days ago, they suggested I just take the time to prepare myself for my next adventure. After being bullied within 2 months of working there and subsequently suffering from that with very little done about it (the bullying changed from direct to passive-aggressive), it was the least they could do for me. Good Riddance. I don’t even know how I made it a year and a half there. My mental health has completely spiralled because of this situation.
I already feel like my new job is going to be much, much better. The location is right here in the city I live in so I will be biking when I go to the office. I had two really great interviews with various people who will be my colleagues and since I was hired have received messages from a few saying they are so excited that I will be joining them. I even have a lunch date with my direct colleague and will meet a few others and get a tour of the building.
Have you ever been in a toxic workplace situation? how did you deal with it?
If we were having coffee
I’d tell you that I finally kicked up my running kilometers again. The work situation really affected every part of my life and some weeks I could barely get out and run a 5K. End of April returned to Malaga to see my parents and I was so inspired to run along the sea there again that I already ran more kilometers in my time there than I had in months. It’s a good thing, too, that Ron has been running again; we can motivate each other to get out and get our legs and lungs going.
In May I ran 100 kilometers in total. The last time I ran that many kilometers in a month was July 2022. That’s right, 2022! Nuts!
How’s your running going? Are you inspired by the weather or your environment to get moving more?
If we were having coffee
I’d mention I’m still walking every day for at least 1 kilometer. I could have just stopped at the end of the year as that was my goal, to do one year of walking at least 1 kilometer per day, but then I thought I’d try for 500 days. I made 500, so now I figure I’ll just keep going until the end of the year.
Do you also walk every day? Is that a conscious decision to do so or just a daily habit?
If we were having coffee
I would tell you that I’m now 7 months into the GLI (Gecombineerde Levenstijl Interventie or Combined Lifestyle Intervention) and have completed the required 6 months of group fitness. We met once a week on Thursdays for a 45 minute WOD. In that time I also tried to do the gym and also follow a fitness program separate to my group but have not been consistent thanks to all the drama from the job plus being sick for about 8 weeks with a nasty cough.
I’m going to take the time this month to establish a routine again. Also my GLI group is still meeting up for a WOD but now on Mondays. Not required but many of us want to carry on.
On top of that I have been working with the physio to help me with my running technique and I have some exercises I need to do to rehab/prehab to help me progress.
Do you have an established fitness routine? do you do rehab or prehab to keep you from getting injured or just to help you run better?
If we were having coffee
I would tell you that the biggest news is that I’ve made the decision to run one more marathon so I can close this particular chapter of my life. Next April will be 10 years since I did my first marathon in Paris. It only makes sense to go back and do it again. That will be my 10th marathon (and 3rd time in Paris). 10 marathons in 10 years and back to where it started. I’ve signed up so it’s happening.
That means I’ll be training again soon, so the first big goal with be a Half Marathon. Lucky for me there is one in Malaga in December, so we are headed back there again to take part in the race (Ron will do the full). I’m not going to lie, I am nervous about it, but I really want to do it.
So yeah, Half Marathon in December, Full in April next year. Wish me luck. And, I could sure use the support to get through the training as well!
Have you reached a point where you are done with certain distances? What’s your favourite race distance?
What would you tell me over coffee?
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Oh, hi Renee! Welcome back! Sounds like you had some difficult times, but I’m glad to hear you’re in a good place now. You have some exciting running goals! I can’t wait to follow along your training. I would also be interested to hear about the work with your physio on your running form.
Sometimes I feel like my whole life is rehab/prehab exercises.
I want to be done with the 5k distance (ha ha) but I’m doing some speed work this summer, so you never know- maybe I’ll tackle a short, faster race again, someday.
Thanks Jenny! I really hope the bad stuff is behind me once and for all! I’m still not consistent with my physio exercises but that’s going to change asap, so I’ll probably talk about that a bit in the near future. I’ll be happy to get through training, get these two big races done and then maybe focus more on short races where I can just enjoy it. who knows really haha!
Another marathon, how exciting! My marathoning, half marathoning, and even 10K days are over; and I’m not even sure if I’ll ever be able to do 5K’s again, but at least I love cycling!
It’s got to be tough working in such a toxic workplace. It’s good to hear that you’re moving on. I hope your new coworkers appreciate you!
Cycling is so awesome though. I can see myself making the switch at some point! Thank you so much, I’m really looking forward to the new job and colleagues!
I’m so glad you found a new job and it sounds like the colleagues there will be much nicer! Seems that your current employer knew your situation was shitty.
Yay on your return to running! I can always be pre-habbing something.
Thanks Coco! I’m excited to start fresh, work with normal people and bike 4km to work! my current employer definitely knew what was going on they just choose not to take any action. I’m happy to be running more again. But yeah I think the older we get the more we need the pre-hasb haha!
It’s nice to see you back here!
Congrats on the new job! I’m so glad you got out of that awful work situation.
How exciting to run another marathon! Looking forward to following along with your training.
Thanks Michelle, good to be back! The job situation was absolutely horrific. honestly it can’t get any worse than that I don’t think! I’ll definitely be sharing my training in the near future, just have to figure out the plan ow.
Yay on the new job!!!! I can understand that kind of toxic situation, in more ways than just the work environment. Ugh. I’m glad you’re able to start anew:-) So good to see you again in our blogging network!!!!
Thamks Kim! It’s so good when we get the opportunity to start again – even if we had to go through heartache to get there! glad to be back with you all x
Nice to see you back at blogging! So glad that you have a new job that you are excited about. Good luck to you! Glad you are back to running as well. Wish you luck on everything!
Thank you so much Deborah. It means a lot x
It’s so good to see you back here Renee! I’m so sorry about all the job stress. It sounds absolutely horrendous to endure and I’m glad you’re doing something else now, hopefully a MUCH better place. All the best as you train for Paris! So exciting!
Thanks Marcia. It’s been so tough. I have had challenging work situations before but never something like this. I have a good feeling about the new job and the colleagues though (I’ve ‘met’ 3 of them virtually) so I’m really counting on things changing for the better. And hopefully my half and full marathon training can fit perfectly into my new work schedule but I have a wee bit of time thankfully before I have to start.
Welcome back. Missed you.
And you have so much good news.
Congrats on the job! It affects your life when you don’t enjoy where you work. I can’t wait to quit mine…
And so exciting about Paris. That’s my dream race since it is my favorite city (and I used to be a French teacher.)
My routine is either go to the gym or run each day (if possible). I usually only walk one day or two (and it’s on a gym day. I was much more active during the pandemic.
Thanks Darlene! I missed you all too! Having a good job environment is so important. I moved from one crappy situation to another worse situation – but yeah you just don’t know it’s going to be awful, right? You should just bite the bullet and join me in Paris next year!! I really want to establish a new routine but I wonder if I’m asking too much of myself to do that right now?
Hi there! There is so much wonderful news here! Congratulations on the job! That is awesome about the marathon. Good luck!
Thank you so much Zenaida! I’ll be folowing your marathon training plan for sure! excited for you as well!
Your tone already sounds so much lighter. I am thrilled that you are out of that toxic environment and can work on getting back to yourself. I know it’s been hard, but hopefully things turn around.
I’m excited for you to take on the Paris Marathon! Can’t wait to see how training goes! And a half in Malaga? Yes!
thanks Jenn. I do indeed feel “lighter” and for the first time in a long time, I feel hopeful! I’ll be looking for a training plan soon, so I’m sure you’ll read more about the training for Málaga and Paris in the near future!